Chelsea launch bid for Matic return

Chelsea have made a £25 million to bring Benfica's Nemanja Matic back to west London, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

The Serbian midfielder joined Chelsea in 2009 but left in 2011 after just two first team appearances, in a deal which saw David Luiz arrive at Stamford Bridge.

Matic looks likely to leave Benfica after reports in Portugal stated the 26-year-old had initially refused to join-up with team-mates before playing in a 2-0 win over Porto on Sunday, a game which was watched by Jose Mourinho's assistant Jose Marais.

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Chelsea have kept tabs on their former defensive midfielder since his return to Portugal and are now expected to use funds from the mooted sale of Kevin de Bruyne to Wolfsburg.

Ironically it is because of Mourinho's reluctance to utilise centre back David Luiz in that role that the Premier League club has renewed their interest in Matic, with summer signing Marco van Ginkel out for the season with a knee ligament injury.

If successful the move will allow Mourinho to further develop his plan to give Eden Hazard more of a free role at Chelsea as they look to win the Premier League for the first time since 2010.